Publication Date
7-1-2021
Journal
Journal of STEM Outreach
DOI
10.15695/jstem/v4i2.11
PMID
36203644
PMCID
PMC9534371
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
10-5-2022
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
STEM partnership, COVID-19, coronavirus, STEM outreach, COVID curriculum
Abstract
The move to virtual schooling and other measures to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection dramatically changed the educational experience for grades K-12 populations during the years 2020 and 2021. STEM teaching and learning, and community partnerships focused on STEM education, were not exempt from the changes. Universities and other community partners had to adapt their STEM partnership programming to address new needs and assist students, teachers, families, and schools throughout periods of at-home learning and the re-reintroduction of in-person classes. Some of the changes included developing new programs, providing health-related guidance to school leaders, and converting student-focused programs to virtual formats. Through these experiences, new approaches emerged and lessons were learned that can be applied to partnership activities during normal times. These lessons included recognizing the importance of addressing inequities in students' access to technology; development of strategies to redesign enrichment programs and classroom instruction for effective online delivery; and identifying and adapting to the range of technologies available to support virtual teaching in differing schools. The increased familiarity by all partners with virtual formats has opened the door to greater participation by students in STEM enrichment programs, online partnerships with STEM professionals and mentoring opportunities.
Included in
Clinical Epidemiology Commons, COVID-19 Commons, Epidemiology Commons, Interprofessional Education Commons, Medical Sciences Commons, Medical Specialties Commons